This harmless but charmless caper will have everybody except the most undemanding tot fidgeting.
Curious George (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 100
Fresh: 68
Rotten:32
Average Rating: 6.1/10
Consensus: Curious George is a bright, sweet, faithful adaptation of the beloved children’s books.
Runtime: 88 mins
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release: Feb 10, 2006 Wide
Box Office: $58,336,565
Synopsis: Resisting the temptations that so many recent kids' movies have succumbed to, CURIOUS GEORGE stays true to the innocently playful spirit of the beloved, brilliantly simple children's books by H.A. Rey, eschewing ironic asides,... Resisting the temptations that so many recent kids' movies have succumbed to, CURIOUS GEORGE stays true to the innocently playful spirit of the beloved, brilliantly simple children's books by H.A. Rey, eschewing ironic asides, gross-out comedy, and pop culture references. Barely acknowledging the parents and guardians in the audience, the filmmakers talk directly--and effectively--to their target viewers: young children. And much like the tone and story it complements, the bright and colorful animation is distinctly old-fashioned, paying tribute to the books, appealing to kids, and adding to the movie's retro charms. In the film, the Man in the Yellow Hat (now named Ted) is a geeky museum guide, winningly voiced by Will Ferrell, whose relatively restrained performance here is actually less cartoonish than many of his previous flesh-and-blood roles. He travels to Africa in an attempt to obtain a huge ancient ruin that could save his struggling museum, which the owner's son (the inherently funny David Cross) wants to turn into a more-profitable parking lot. Instead, of course, Ted brings back an adorable, mischievous, childlike monkey (fortunately, George doesn't talk, though his primate chatter is quite expressive), who inadvertently causes all kinds of trouble for him--though there's never much doubt that everything will work out for the best in the end. With the talented voice acting (which also includes Dick Van Dyke, Joan Plowright, and Drew Barrymore as Ted's sweet schoolteacher love interest), the appropriately fun and laid-back music by Jack Johnson, the irresistibly likable character of George himself, and the wisely uncluttered plot, first-time feature director Matthew O'Callaghan achieves the rare feat of successfully and respectfully adapting one of the most popular children's books of all time. [More]
Starring: Will Ferrell, Joan Plowright, David Cross, Drew Barrymore
Starring: Will Ferrell, Joan Plowright, David Cross, Drew Barrymore, Eugene Levy
Director: Matthew O'Callaghan
Director: Matthew O'Callaghan
Producer: Ron Howard, David Kirschner, Bonne Radford
Studio: Universal Pictures
Get This Movie
Release:
Sep 26, 2006
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85:1
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English, French, Spanish
- Subtitles - English (SDH), French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurette - MONKEY IN MOTION: See how an animation artist makes George come alive.
Interactive Features:
- Drawn To George - Learn to Draw Curious George
- Games - 1. MONKEY AROUND WITH WORDS
- 2. WHERE'S GEORGE?
- 3. BANANA HUNT: HELP HUNGRY GEORGE FIND THE BANANAS
- Coloring Book - On-screen Coloring Book
- The Ever Changing Colorful Chameleon
- Music Video - "Upside Down - Jack Johnson - SIng-A-Long
- DVD ROM: Features include downloadable coloring sheets that the kids will love!
Reviews for Curious George
Gentle enough to satisfy the wee ones but has little to offer their adult companions...
George's character has been intensely cutesified here, with little of the subversive edge which remains the secret of his lasting appeal.
The welcome absence of strained cleverness qualifies as one of its biggest virtues.
It's a gentle, unhurried, largely hand-drawn children's cartoon with a nice simple storyline and no nods and winks to the grown-ups.
George is just so darn cute with his big eyes and bright smile and perpetually sunny disposition, he's pretty much impossible to resist.
A decent distraction for the young ones, it also seems content to be merely that.
A great kids' film, and a vehicle for a beloved character that will hopefully send parents scurrying to the bookstore for the genuine article.
It's harmless, colourful fun, but even the very young are used to better.
Inocente como seu público-alvo (as crianças menores), é um filme cuja base reside no carinho entre seus dois personagens principais. E, embora isto não gere uma narrativa exatamente intensa, conquista pelo calor de seus sentimentos.
The whole thing might be a bit more bearable were it not for the tooth-rotting sweetness of Jack Johnson's songs, which are all about learning by doing, and how important it is to have friends, and other such guff.
Based on the classic series of children's books by Margret and HA Rey, this gently comical animated movie perfectly catches the tone of the adventure tales. It's a charming little film that shouldn't be left to children.
A shock for those expecting grown-up laughs, Curious George is that rarest of breeds: a kids' film through and through.
Enjoyable, brightly coloured and sharply written animation that will delight its target audience while leaving accompanying adults pleasantly surprised.
Director Matthew O’Callaghan supplies a bright, cheerful look that will please small kids, but parents hardly need rush them to the theater; the video will do just as well.
It is a sweet, simple movie with a sweet, simple message: that children see the world differently and have much to teach the people who love them.
Cute but never cloying, uncomplicated but not simple-minded, 'Curious George' is as light, energetic and satisfying as a flip through one of the storybooks that bear his name.
Small children might enjoy the title character's slapstick antics, but there's not much here to satisfy adults seeking a dose of nostalgia.
Curious about the family fare that's out there? Well, wonder no more: "Curious George" is the perfect outing for every member of your household.
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